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Thursday, 10 March 2011

The ups and downs of short story competitions

I had planned to write about Canada but this has leapfrogged into today’s post instead. I am GUTTED! Last year in October I entered the Asham Award, which is a short story award for unpublished women writers. The theme was ‘ghost or gothic’ and although I felt uninspired for a goodly amount of time, barely a week before the deadline creativity darkly drop-kicked into shape. I came up with a story, and it was sent out into the wilderness (description more apt for theme, I think, rather than sent to Kent.)

In December, around the time I was feeling extra gloomy, I got a letter – a golden ticket sort of letter – saying that my story was through to the shortlist. Cue jubilation in forms of skipping, hugging letter, grinning like a Cheshire cat, and seeing the world through a gorgeous rose tint.

I was very happy. It was only the second short story competition I had entered, so to be already on the shortlist felt like I was on the correct literary path, spotlights and cheerleaders (let’s make them male; let’s make them Colin Firth clones) pointing the way.

We were told the twelve winners would be informed in March, so I tried to cull my obsessive google clicking until then but it was rather hard... (Who is talking about the award? Who else is nominated? Who is the competition? What do they write like? Darn it! Who else is talking about the award? What do they say? Tell me, tell me... click, click, click.)

But now the obsessing can stop, as I’ve checked the Award’s website and the lucky winners have been announced... without me. Oh poop. Cue crash down in depressive slump, desire for biggest wrongest chocolate lunch ever, and seeing the world through grey gloop.

Still, there is a bright side... My story did make it to the shortlist, which is a fab achievement anyway, and something I can put on my writer CV (more of that another time). My story was read by wonderful authors like Sarah Waters (The Little Stranger) and Polly Samson (Out of the Picture), and Lennie Goodings (publisher of Virago) – for ten minutes they read my words – they were mine, all mine! I do now have a rather nice little story, which I can work upon to send elsewhere (as I think I know what can be improved). It was also a great boost to get through Christmas and that dreary time when you think nothing at all is happening in life the way you wish it would.

So all in all, I feel okay. It would have been brilliant to tell you my story had made it, but sharing the downs and disappointments is all part of the publishing journey. Gosh I sound so zen. I am now off to punch pillows.

PS – The line up and story titles for the Asham Award look fab, by the way, so if you are into ghostly gothic fiction do consider buying the anthology when it is released. Either check the Award website or the Virago website later this year for release information.

37 comments:

I think the entire process of writing for competition and publication, heck, even just the process of writing itself, is a huge emotional rollercoaster. And although I know that, I never cease to be thrown off by that. Like you, I get some good news or feedback and I'm floating, and then something doesn't pan out, I get an R, and I'm pretty low for awhile. Congratulations on making that short list, and of course you know there will be plenty more "ups" in your future!

You got short-listed amongst the very best of the best of the best!! It's a great story already!! Yay for you!!!!! Onwards and upwards - that story should now be on its way to a new home, guaranteed!! GOOD LUCK!!!! You did bl**dy well!!!! :-) Take carex

You're right, it's all part of the job, way to be philosophical about it--well, at least on your post here :) and I must say I loved your comment on my post about blogging reminding you of pen pals. I've thought of that before too. I had one pen pal from England when I was in grade school. Her name was Linda and we wrote back and forth for several years then lost touch.

Well, darn.But just think.... making the short list is really huge!Just think of all those writers who have... "shortlisted for the Booker Prize"... after their names. To be shortlisted on a competition such as this is cause for rather good feelings all round. Still, I understand the disappointment and one big ole chocolate lunch is allowed. But just one!

Congratulations on making the shortlist. You should feel very good about that. Glad you have a new story on the way. Best of luck. And I agree with Maria: If your contest entry was good enough for the shortlist, it's publishable. Keep it moving!

When it comes to chosing winners out of such a shortlist it's really down to personal taste since all the stories that make it that far will be of a very high standard. So the fact that someone else won doesn't mean their story was any better - just that it hit a chord with that particular judge.

Congratulations on making the shortlist and only on your second try too. I think it is marvelous! I remember you posting about sending that story off and how busy you were/are so I think you have done brilliantly. When I start drinking again in April I will have a little toast to you. :-)

This sounds a lot like me and the Sandy Writers convention last year. Sigh. I've been on a chocolate rampage since June. LOL Keep working! Put the chocolate away and keep working. I will happen. For both of us. :)

Congrats on making the short list! I think we all could do with His Firthness cheerleaders!!! I know *I* would be more productive in my career(s)! ;) Loved this post- you have a beautiful gift for writing, Jayne!

Yep, I know the feeling. I recently got shortlisted for an award, and I was so stoked just to be shortlisted. Then as the weeks went by I started thinking, 'ooo, maybe I got a prize!' and I didn't, and was so disappointed, but then also still stoked that I got shortlisted!

well I say congratulations for getting shortlisted! and it only means you are getting closer- it was only your second ever story and more importantly I believe in the story of the tortoise and the hare and that people who pass their driving test the second time rather than the first are better drivers xx

Sarah – It really is a rollercoaster – I was sad about the short story, and then saw my blog post had gone up on the Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook website! Down, then up! And thank you so much for your encouragement!

Jenna Wallace – Aw thank you!

Maria Zannini – You are so right. Thank you! Will do. x

MorningAJ – It was a short list indeed – thank you!

Out on the prairie – They are fun. At the very least they give you a deadline which can be encouragement to actually finish stories. But oh the anticipation and the waiting!

Old Kitty – Thank you! Yup, I feel tons better about it now. It would have been nice to get further but I’m happy with what I achieved.

Eliza – Aw thank you! Must put my head down and keep going. 

Áine Tierney – That is very true – hooray!

KarenG – I am very philosophical here, aren’t I? You should have seen me on Friday. I ate a whole box of walnut whips for lunch.

Jayne Ferst

In the 1970s a girl was born and sent to school for a crime she didn't commit. That girl finally escaped from a dull comprehensive into the lost artistic underground. Today, still wanted by her job, she survives as a writer of fortune. If you need a story, if no one else can help, and if you remember the A Team theme tune, maybe you can sing it with me.